Police: Man Caught Painting Stolen Moped, Public Drinking, Domestic Assault

CAUGHT WITH STOLEN MOPED
A 19-year-old Newport man is facing a felony charge of possession of a stolen vehicle after he allegedly was caught spraying parts with paint in the Festival Field area on Thursday.

Police said David Angel Robles Maldonado, 19, of 90 Girard ave., Newport, was seen by an officer as he was spray painting plastic moped parts at around 11:45 a.m.

Maldonado told the officer that the moped belonged to a friend. He then changed his story and said he bought it from someone for $100 the day before, police said.

A check of the VIN showed the moped was reported stolen, however, and police arrested Maldonado.

The moped, a 2015 Yamaha Zuma X, was reported stolen two days earlier by a 22-year-old Newport man who told police the moped was stolen along with a helmet and was in brand new condition.

The scooter was valued by police at about $2,100.

In addition to the felony charge, Maldonado was charged with misdemeanor vandalism.

PUBLIC DRINKING
Police cited 40-year-old Christopher Huffman Mountain Brook, AL, early Friday morning when he was seen walking on Thames Street at around 1:33 a.m. by an officer carrying an open bottle of Samuel Adams Boston Lager. He was summonsed to appear in Newport Municipal Court on Sept. 28.

DOMESTIC
Newport police charged Khanthong Faerber, 42, of 22 Mann Ave., Apt. 2, Newport, with domestic simple assault and domestic vandalism Friday afternoon at 2:29 p.m.

Police said Faerber assaulted a man after a domestic dispute. The victim told police that she became violent as he was talking to her about their domestic situation. During the incident, the victim reportedly restrained Faerber as she attempted to climb over the third floor railing of the apartment.

Police said Faerber was arrested after an investigation. She allegedly told police that she did not hurt the victim.

She was taken into custody without incident and later released on personal recognizance. She is due to return to court on Sept. 9 for arraignment.

FRAUD
Newport police charged David Christopher Ortiz, 19, of 694 Hope St., Bristol, with two counts of credit card fraud on Thursday for allegedly using a Newport woman’s credit card to make purchases and cash withdrawls.

Police said Ortiz became a suspect during an investigation that began when the victim first reported the incident in June.

After his arrest Ortiz was held briefly before being released with a Sept. 9 court date for arraignment.

Police said bank records and photo evidence from ATMs across the city helped identify him as the suspect.